Richard Branson, founder and chairman of Virgin Group, is looking to invest in a major project that will turn 50 Saudi Arabian islands into luxury tourism destinations, a report said.

Branson is the first international investor to commit to the Red Sea project, a report in Arab News said citing Saudi Arabia’s information ministry.

“This is an incredibly exciting time in the country’s history and I’ve always felt that there’s nothing like getting a firsthand impression,” said the report quoting Branson during his visit to the kingdom.

The Red Sea project is expected to generate 35,000 jobs, according to the Saudi government.